High Maintenance

Go somewhere else!

2009-04-01T10:05:00.003-04:00

I've made the decision to discontinue posting articles at this blog. From now on, I will be posting them at www.andyrupert.com/blog.

Mystery Car #59

2009-03-31T13:28:00.003-04:00

Andy's Auto Center

2009-03-27T13:04:00.002-04:00

Have you seen this commercial on espn.com? It starts with a salesman named Andy getting ready for a big sale at Andy's Auto Center. Everything looks good until the crowds go instead to the Subway sandwich sale across the street. Nice.

Sales at Leikin Volvo have not been too bad the last two weeks. I've sold two cars and split two other sales with another salesman. I hope that the trend continues.

Transition

2009-03-26T14:51:00.002-04:00

Now that I no longer own a Jaguar, I'm not sure what to call my blog. Sending any of my customers to a blog named High Maintenance seems a bit counterproductive. So, I've been transferring some of my favorite articles over to a mirror blog at www.andyrupert.com/blog.html. Unfortunately, I'm still trying to learn how to add comments. So, until I do, you'll have to use the 'contact me' page. Hopefully, it will work better this way. We shall see.

Happy Customers

2009-03-26T12:24:00.001-04:00

Check out some happy customer comments here.

1999 Mercedes SLK230

2009-03-26T10:10:00.006-04:00

Volvo convertibles are very nice. They are safe, stylish, and hard to find used. So, when a customer asks for a $30,000 Volvo convertible, I tell them about the list of people I have at my desk that keeps getting longer. Used hard top Volvo C70 convertibles are hard to find under $30k. But...

...this morning as I was walking back from Speedway with my wake up cappuccino, I passed a nice looking hard top convertible that might fill in the gap until the price of Volvo hard tops drops (no pun intended). It was a 1999 Mercedes SLK230 roadster.

This two door hard top convertible is quite the looker. It's Mercedes version of the Mazda Miata (if I can say that without getting into trouble). It' a small luxury convertible with enough bells and whistles to keep most people happy throughout the year. And while you might think that a Mercedes would be a costly purchase, you might be surprised that we are offering the convertible for a reasonable $17,990.

For more information, read the Auto Channel's review of the 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230.

Mystery Car #58

2009-03-25T19:00:00.001-04:00

As I drove into Affordable Auto Salvage yesterday, I thought of two things: (1) I shouldn't have driven my recently washed 2007 Volvo S60 company car to this dusty junk yard, and (2) what kind of car is that sitting on top of the dumpster? I had to call the salvage yard for the answer. Can you guess it by yourself?

1995 Saab 900: Sun Visor Repair

2009-03-19T20:16:00.005-04:00

After having our 1995 Saab 900 S detailed, I took it for a spin and subsequently broke the sun visor out of its ceiling mount. Nice. And to make matters worse, none of the junk yards within easy reach have any NG900s. Sure, I could have contacted English-Swedish Spares, but I really wasn't interested in putting more money into the car. So, I just drove it without a sun visor ... until Monday.

Monday had to be one of the brightest days we've had in a long time. The sun was shining bright enough to warrant a raised hand and a heavy squint. So, I decided that Tuesday would be the day to fix it. And thankfully, that happened to be the day my parents were up to visit as well. And my dad's good at fixing things. Nice timing.

The problem with the visor was not an easy one. The plastic shaft which holds the visor into its ceiling socket had snapped in two. My first instinct was to try super glue, but with constant use, that was sure to fail sooner than later. What to do? My dad looked over the situation and suggested using JB Weld. But with constant use, would it do any better than super glue? Another paternal idea solved the problem.

Dad suggested using the JB Weld to stick the broken piece back on and then to drill down the shaft and "weld" in a nail. The whole process involved "welding," clamping the entire visor in a vise, drilling through the center of the shaft, and then placing a screw in the shaft to help hold the two pieces together.

Now, I must admit that it wasn't as easy as that sounds. The first weld snapped once I put it in the vise. So, I worked on the shaft and connecting the two pieces before attempting the weld again. What ended up working best was drilling the top piece with a larger bit so that the screw didn't grip the sides. Once through the top piece, the screw was able to dig into the smalled hole in the other piece. Does that make sense? The end result was that when I applied the JB Weld, it held very well. And, thankfully, it's still holding two days later!

Monthly Payments

2009-03-18T11:18:00.005-04:00

Customers often call in and ask for a $300 payment on a $30,000 vehicle. Sound good? That would be a great deal, but the truth is that payment would only be possible with a $15,000 down payment. And most people are not prepared to put down that much money. While they may feel a bit disappointed or even cheated, the truth is that a little homework would have saved them a lot of heart break. Take for instance the following situation:

Joe Smith is looking for a $300 payment including all taxes, fees, discounts, etc. He has $2000 to put down and wants a 60 month loan. At the moment, USBank is offering a 5.99% interest rate for new cars. Assuming that his credit score is 730 or better, how much car can he afford to buy?

Using the USBank auto loan calculator, you'll quickly find the answer.

SALE PRICE
$15,978.31
DOC FEE
250.00
SALES TAX (7.75%)
1,257.69
TITLE FEE
35.00
DOWNPAYMENT
2,000.00
AMOUNT FINANCED
$17,521.00
MONTHS
60
INTEREST RATE
5.99%
MONTHLY PAYMENT
$300/mo

Is that different than you were thinking? If so, you may want to use the calculator before giving the evil eye to your local car salesman. That's really the way it works.

Test Drive: 2010 Mercedes GLK

2009-03-16T13:32:00.023-04:00

The 2010 Mercedes GLK350 is an entry level SUV which competes with the likes of Volvo's new XC60. Our manager told us to take one for a test drive today. This was a good idea as several customer's have been comparing the two in the last ten days. As you can imagine, my loyalties are with the Volvo. But I tried to keep an open mind as I compared the two earlier this afternoon. Here's a list of my first impressions.

GOOD

BAD

· navigation system

· plenty of power

· dual sunroof w/screen

· nice audio system

· non-rusting plastic wheel wells

· uncomfortable seats

· soft handling

· rear leg room

· transmission holds gears too long

My first impression was that the GLK was a cute Jeep look-a-like. Jim Vanek, another Volvo salesman, thought it looked like a cross between Mercedes' GL320 and G550 models. That's a pretty good description as the GLK is rounded like the GL but has the long hood and boxy look of the G-class. In any event, the new GLK is a nice looking small SUV which looks best with the optional 20 inch wheels.

The interior of the GLK is typical Mercedes with nicely appointed trim and a well laid-out dashboard. One of the first things you notice when you turn the key is the quality sound and navigation system. The navigation system show you a colorful map in the center console which is very easy to read. And it also displays the street name and compass direction on the message screen inside your gauge cluster. That is a nice touch.

Unfortunately, these specialties are overshadowed by uncomfortable seats. Instead of sinking into luxurious leather cushions, I found myself thinking I was in an entry-level vinyl seat. It just didn't seem right for a Mercedes product. Craig Thompson, a salesman at Leikin Mercedes, explained that the seats are designed with firm cushions and perforations for the sake of longevity. Whatever you decide about the seats, they are power adjustable and fit my 6' 3" frame with no problem. But adjusting the front seat backward led to a problem for anyone wanting to sit in the second row.

Later on, as I pulled out of the parking lot, there was no doubt that this was a powerful machine. The GLK comes with a 268 hp (258 lb/ft) naturally aspirated V6 engine coupled to a 7 speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was also fitted with the 4MATIC 4WD system. As I pressed down the accelerator, the car had no problem jumping forward. I tried again when we took the entrance ramp to I-90 east bound. The GLK had plenty of power and hit 80 mph before we entered the freeway. Add to that the sporty sound of the exhaust and there's little to complain about.

At city speeds, however, we noticed that the transmission liked to hold the gear longer than expected. It almost felt as if the car was stuck in a gear. The GLK would accelerate quickly, revving up to 5500 rpm, but when you let your foot off of the accelerator, it would remain in the same gear and slowly decelerate. Craig Thompson explained that the GLK has a sport and comfort setting. The latter tends to hold the gears longer for a smoother ride. We also noticed that the suspension seemed a bit loose compared to other vehicles we've driven. It was never so much that the vehicle seemed unsafe. It was just not quite as tight as would have been expected. Perhaps this was also due to the vehicle being in comfort mode.

Overall, we liked the 2010 Mercedes GLK350. It has many positive attributes and just a few negatives. It accelerates and handles well in normal driving conditions. It looks good, is well built, and has a good list of optional equipment. And if you can look past the seats (or just add a pair of comfortable sheepskins) this would make a fun and stylish entry-level cross over vehicle.

Quote of the Day

2009-03-16T11:00:00.001-04:00

Selling something you like isn't easy. Maybe that's why Toyotas are so popular. You can't get attached to them so it's no trouble to trade them in.

Steven Wade

The New SAAB Emerges...

2009-03-12T20:44:00.006-04:00

Wouldn't that be a nice article to read? We've been reading a lot of rumors about the company becoming independent, or the possibility of it being purchased by another automotive company. Now Volvo might be purchased by a Donfeng or a Swedish car group. What's gonna happen? The suspense is killing me, man! It would be nice to hear that something is finally coming together.

So, whoever you are, let the new SAAB emerge from the shadows. And let it be something real good.

Financing

2009-03-11T11:11:00.000-04:00

How many fourth graders fit in a Volvo?

2009-03-09T08:58:00.009-04:00

My oldest son's class at Mentor Christian School has had an unofficial tradition of getting their class picture in one of my cars. Now that I've been working with Volvos, it seemed appropriate to get a shot with one of the nice cars in our inventory. But how do you put the fourth grade class in a car you want to sell without making a mess? The answer to that questions came to me last night.

The Cleveland Auto Show finished last night and it was my turn to drive our display car back to the dealership. So, about 8:30 pm, I drove the Celestial Blue 2009 Volvo C70 out of the IX Center and took it home for the night. This morning, I dropped off our three at school and asked Jefferson's teacher if the kids could come out to see the convertible. Perfect opportunity. Climb in, kids!

Test Drive: 2010 Volvo XC60

2009-03-06T15:24:00.001-05:00

Wednesday morning, I had the privilege of driving the new 2010 Volvo XC60. (Don't ask me why they introduced a 2010 model in March of 2009—just accept it.) And I don't use the word "privilege" lightly. This truly is a nice car and I was one of the first salesmen to drive it!

Exterior

The XC60 on our lot is a demonstrator model which arrived with Black Sapphire metallic paint and 7.5 x 18" Silver Bright Mantus rims. As expected, black is a good color for this Volvo. The shape and curves of the XC60 are sleek but make you want to sit back and enjoy the ride. Whether you like to drive quickly or at a leisurely pace, this vehicle will keep you smiling.

As I write this article, a 2009 Volvo XC90 is sitting in front of my desk. That leads me to the question everyone else has been asking. How does the XC60 compare in size to the XC90? That's a good question that deserves some pictures.

	XC60	XC90
Length	182.2”	189.2”
Wheelbase	109.2”	112.5”
Height	67.4”	70.1”
Width	74.5”	75.2”

According to the specs sheet, the XC60 is a few inches shorter in just about every dimension. But why does Volvo need a smaller SUV? A quick look at the competition and you'll quickly understand Volvo's game plan. It's primary competitors are the BMW X3, Mercedes GLK, and possibly the Saab 9-4x (if it is ever produced). And in today's economy, it pays to be competitive in as many venues as possible.

Engine

The XC60 comes with the powerful T6 engine. With 281 hp and 295 lb/ft of torque, there is every reason to believe that this car will jump when you touch the pedal. A quick drive up the street confirmed that the T6 was the perfect choice for the new XC60. Coupled to the six-speed Geartronic automatic with Haldex AWD Instant Traction, you are sure to retain your footing no matter what the weatherman is reporting.

Safety

With a sturdy body and Volvo's typical safety features, the XC60 weighs in at 4,174 lbs and gets an average of 16 mpg city / 22 mpg highway. While some may complain that mileage is a bit on the low side, they should consider the relationship between weight and safety. Volvo could have produced an economy box but chose rather to continue protecting lives while producing yet another safe vehicle. For instance, the next time you are able to look over a Volvo, open the door and consider the thickness of the doors. They appear to be at least 12" thick. Add to that the many other standard safety features that you don't notice until you need them, such as DSTC, TSA, EBL, HBA, IDIS, WHIPS, SIPS, RSC, EBL, and you will drive with a new found confidence not available to drivers of most other cars.

But Volvo was not content to just sit with their safety awards, they took another step forward with the standard City Safety package. A laser beam mounted in front of the rear view mirror "spots slower moving or stopped vehicles in front at speeds below 20 mph" (The New Volvo XC60 brochure). If you were to become distracted at a stop sign and begin to drift toward the car ahead of you, City Safety is designed to brake the car for you at the last moment thus minimizing the possibility of you rear ending the car ahead of you. Pretty amazing.

And if you want even more safety options, you may add the Collision Avoidance package. This optional package adds Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Auto Brake, Distance Alert, Driver Alert Control, and Lane Departure Warning. All of these are very helpful especially for those who tend to be distracted or who fall asleep while driving. If you need it, it's a nice option for an additional $1,700.

Interior

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is available in a number of interesting color schemes. Leather seats are standard but there are four interior color combinations available: (1) anthracite black w/offblack leather, (2) anthracite black with off black/lemon leather, (3) Sandstone beige w/ soft beige leather, and (4) Sandstone beige w/ soft beige/espresso brown leather. As you might have guessed already, our XC60 came equipped with the fourth option. The color reminds me of the leather seats in the 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero convertible we had here last month (only the XC60's seats are more comfortable!). The seats are comfortable and firm at the same time—giving you the feeling that you'll enjoy the ride no matter how you drive.

While opinions will differ as to the color schemes offered, there are a number of standard features that will keep everyone happy.

Auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass
Bluetooth hands-free capability
Dual zone electronic climate control
Front fog lamps
High performance audio with CD, HD radio, USB, and AUX
Hill Descent control
leather seats
load cover in cargo area
Power front seats
Sirius satellite radio (w/ 6 mo subscription)
Complimentary 3 yrs/36k mi factory scheduled maintenance

That's a pretty good list of standard features. And the way things are positioned, all buttons are within easy reach of the driver or passenger. Speaking of options, one notable change is the location of the GPS system. Instead of having a screen slide up from the middle of the dashboard, the GPS has been relocated to the top of the center console. This makes reading the screen much easier in broad daylight. The temperature and radio readout has been moved to a raised panel on top of the dashboard. The end result is nice and keeps your eyes from wandering too far from the road.

Conclusion

As I have said before, I didn't like the 2010 Volvo XC60 until I saw it with my own eyes. But now that I have had time to see, drive, and experience it, I think it's much better than expected. If you have need of a 5 passenger AWD SUV that drives like a car, this is the car for you. And with so many standard features, you can purchase a nicely equipped vehicle with the Climate package for under $40,000. For one of the safest luxury SUVs out there, that's a very good deal.

Greenbrier Update

2009-03-03T23:36:00.004-05:00

I test drove the 1961 Corvair Greenbrier today. I'd been wanting to drive it for a while but the last time the battery was dead and we couldn't get it started. (It had been sitting for six months.) Today the owner got it started but ... it took twenty minutes, some ether, and a battery booster. Then after letting it idle for ten more minutes, I stalled it when trying to find first gear. I eventually got the hang of things and circled the building several times. But after all that effort, I'm thinking it would require a bit more time than I can afford to put into it.

It was a good lesson for me. Old cars are ... well ... old. They don't come with the same refined technology that we have today. Carburetors are not as quick to respond as fuel injection. And if it's going to take twenty minutes to start the vehicle in the winter, there's no way it would work for a daily driver (not to mention the fact that the heater never pumped out any heat).

So, there's not going to be any deal with the Greenbrier. Happy now? Jefferson was disappointed.

I don't know why, but...

2009-03-03T01:36:00.005-05:00

...the Corvair trucks and vans are growing on me.

I'm up late tonight due to four slices of pizza and a can of Diet (eww!) Mountain Dew. So, after reading a book and checking email, I decided to check out some things on eBay. Sure enough, several people are selling Corvairs and Greenbrier parts. (One guy's even selling a box load of parts.) But what has begun to catch my attention is any mention of the Corvair trucks or vans. They're entirely unique—no question about it!

Take for instance this Corvair Rampside truck. When's the last time you saw a rear engined truck with a passenger side entry gate to the truck bed? That's definitely different (maybe odd is the better word?) It would take a bathtub full of money to restore something like this, (and I'm honestly not interested) but it is quite intriguing! What was GM thinking at the time?

But then there are some people who like interesting vehicles. They don't mind being a bit different than the rest of the people around them. That type of person wouldn't mind driving something odd like this. And when you see a restored model like this on eBay, you might begin to think that a restoration might be worth the effort ... and then again maybe it might not be.

Flakey Saab Emblem

2009-03-03T00:06:00.005-05:00

When I owned a Classic Saab 900, I decided to replace the emblem on the hood. The colored panel had disappeared and all that was left was a silver disc. If you looked closely, you could still see the faint outline of the griffin's head but not much else. It pretty much resembled a well worn buffalo head nickel. Remember those? But as interesting as that was, I wanted to replace it with something nice to match the rest of the unique automobile. That goal was finally realized with a unique emblem sold by a British entrepeneur on ebay.

I was reminded of that event when my brother recently emailed me about the car his boss is currently driving. His 9-3 convertible has also lost the color of its emblem. And being the thoughtful brother that he is, he asked me what his boss could do about it. This is what I said.

To get a new badge, you can do two things:
Order the same kind at www.thesaabsite.com and hope it doesn't come off again.

Do what I did with my Saab 900 and order an aftermarket one from kupoblue on eBay.

It would seem that buying the original piece is not very wise as it will eventually delaminate itself again. (As a side note, Saab really needs to get a grip in this. I found half of the color laminate from one of the 2006 Saab 9-7x's we had at Leikin on the ground last fall. That's pretty sad that it would fall apart after just two years.) So, I would recommend getting the aftermarket versions. But if you must have the original, you may want to purchase the badge protectors from State of Nine.

Click on the hubcap!

2009-02-28T22:19:00.001-05:00

First Glimpse: 2010 Volvo XC60

2009-02-27T12:25:00.008-05:00

This morning, several of us attended an AutoTrader.com sponsored breakfast for car salesmen in the area. It was the big kickoff for the Cleveland Auto Show at the IX Center. The meal was good but when the speaker started talking about "women," I decided my time would be better spent wandering through the display area.

Many of the booths were set up already, but there was still much to do. There must have been about 400 people pushing (and driving) vacuum cleaners all over the place. Mercedes, SAAB, and VW/Audi have large displays. But, for the life of me, I couldn't find the Volvo display. Even after asking directions, I couldn't find it until a co-worker joined me and pointed me in the right direction. Apparently, Volvo USA decided against purchasing display space at the Cleveland show. I realize that the economy isn't doing the best, but you would think they would want as much exposure for their new model—the 2010 Volvo XC60. However, it would appear that the local dealers got together to purchase a small spot in which to show a few of our vehicles.

As you can see in the pictures, the XC60 is a smaller than you might expect. To be honest, the videos and pictures haven't impressed me very much. It was just another SUV until I saw it in person today. My first impression is that this is a very nice looking car. It is smaller than expected but not so small that someone my size would feel uncomfortable in it. I had no problem fitting inside. The show car has a nice look to it and it comes with just about every option installed: comfortable leather seats, in-dash GPS system, City Safety (automatic last minute braking under 18 mph), and the new panoramic moon roof.

If you're interested in the XC60, Leikin Volvo will be one of the dealerships manning the display at the Cleveland Auto Show. And if you're in the area, send me an email and I'll mail you a coupon for $2 off admission. Also, let me know when you'll be at the show. I'd like to meet some of the old TS boys.

Hold On!*

2009-02-26T14:57:00.011-05:00

Listen to the mp3 here.

What you have to do is finish what you have begun
I don't know just how, but it's not over till you've won

While Maud Olofsson is stalling
And GM is crafting lies
It's too late to merge, no companies comply.
What you do then is remember
That old thing you've heard me say:
"It's GM, not SAAB, that's bound to go away."

Hold on! All Trollhattan is standing by.
Hold on! Don't even ask how long or why
SAAB hold on to what you know is true
Hold on till you get through
Saab, Oh Saab! Hold on...

*Based on the song, "Hold On," in the musical, The Secret Garden

Mexican NAPA

2009-02-25T09:05:00.004-05:00

Auto parts are readily available in the US of A. But what is it like in Mexico? A few years ago, I heard that Monterrey had its own SAAB dealership. So, it must be pretty upscale, right?

AJ Gibson, a Christian professor at La Universidad Cristiana de Las Américas in Monterrey, Mexico, posted this interesting video of a Mexican car parts store. I feel at home already! And, to be honest, it doesn't look much different than some of the salvage yards in Ohio.

Swedish Safety

2009-02-24T09:11:00.001-05:00

"The Saab 9-3 along with the Saab 9-5 and the Volvo S70 were the first cars in the world to earn the maximum score in a side impact augmented by a pole test based on Euro NCAP testing."

"Saab 9-3" by Wikipedia

Budget Upgrade

2009-02-21T20:38:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, my wife took the 900 into the local Conrad's auto repair shop in Painesville because the right front tire was slowly losing air. They determined that the problem was a bent steel rim. But after dismounting and remounting it a second time, they determined that the rim would probably hold air okay. But knowing that air is somewhat important for cars, I decided to price another wheel. Yikes! They wanted $75 for a steel rim!

A few days ago, my dad investigated some 16" Viking wheels/tires which were advertised on Craigslist down in Columbus. But for some reason (either I forgot the advertised price or it was raised after the fact) the price was more than I anticipated. So, instead of paying a bunch of moolah to replace one slightly bent steel rim, we chose to pump up the tires and replace the remaining two hubcaps with a new set from Murray's Discount Auto Parts. They don't look too bad, eh?

Tasmanian Blogger Buys SAAB

2009-02-19T07:06:00.002-05:00

Steven Wade said he believes in the inherent strength of Swedish manufacturing.

General Motors announced on February 19 it had agreed to sell its Swedish niche brand, nine years after GM acquired the remaining shares of SAAB for US $600 million in 2000. The ailing auto manufacturer said it was selling 100% of the unprofitable Swedish auto maker to private equity firm Saabs United for a fraction of the price they paid. Sources in Tasmania say the buyout is close to AU $49. But this has yet to be confirmed.

In the statement on February 19, Rick Wagoner said that the sale of SAAB would enable General Motors to focus on being "the leading manufacturer of sub-prime vehicles and a provider of poor quality in every market segment we serve worldwide."

SAAB would retain all of its financial obligations for employees' pension and healthcare benefits, meaning that the deal would not burden GM with any debt, it said.

The United Auto-blogger Workers or UAW, welcomed the deal. "The transaction with Steven Wade is in the best interests of our UAW members, SAAB and General Motors," said UAW President Eggs-n-Grits.

Saabs United Capital Management Chairman and all around good guy Steven Wade said: "Saabs United believes in the inherent strength of Swedish manufacturing and of the U.S. auto industry. Most importantly, we believe in SAAB." He later added, "What can I say? Fifty bucks is fifty bucks!"

Based on Cerberus Buys Chrysler For $7.4 Billion

Test Drive: 1962 Corvair Monza

2009-02-17T23:23:00.007-05:00

Craigslist Cleveland revealed a $2000 1962 Corvair sedan for sale. Little did I know that the car was parked at a repair shop just a mile away from Leikin Motor Company. So, after dropping the kids off at school and my wife at work (the Saab was at the body shop for some rust repair), I zipped over to check out the little car.

Little is the operative word here. This car was so small that even with the driver's seat all the way back, the steering wheel was two inches from my belly button. Sure, I've packed on a few pounds since high school and I was wearing a huge winter jacket, but this was too much to handle. There is no way that I could drive a car that small for any extended period of time! And with the seat so far back, leg room in the rear was pretty abysmal. There's room for maybe four people max in this car. I don't remember the Corvair convertible I test drove back in 1990 being that bad, but now I know that the car is much too small for people of my stature.

So, scratch the Corvair sedan off my list of cars I'd like to own some day. But don't scratch off the Greenbrier just yet. Just today, the owner finally offered it to me for a fairly reasonable price. If we can find a buyer for the Saab, we'll just have to see...

Request from Painesville, Ohio

2009-02-15T21:49:00.004-05:00

2006 Track Team Memories

2009-02-14T13:37:00.003-05:00

I was going through old pictures and articles the other day and came across this picture of the 2006 Track & Field Team. Back then, I had the privilege of coaching the track & field team for Mentor Christian School in Mentor, Ohio. Each year we trained for about six weeks for the annual BCSA Track & Field event. And for the three years we competed, one of our girls came away with the MVP award each year!

I made it a habit to drive my car around the back end of the gymnasium to the soccer field each practice. There's just something fun about driving your car on grass. Besides team photos, we also used the car for strength & conditioning drills. Push! Grunt! Heave! Lots of fun.

Dream Car

2009-02-11T22:21:00.005-05:00

I would just like to say that this would be a very cool car to own and drive. Hemmings had an article about it Wednesday and I began to dream again. Can you imagine driving the neighborhood kids to Sunday School in that? How cool would that be? Way cool, man.

Click here

to read more about this particular car, a 1937 Stutz Pak-Age-Kar.

1995 Saab 900: Glove Box Repair

2009-02-10T21:52:00.006-05:00

Our glove box door has been hanging open despite the previous owner's attempts to attach Velcro in critical areas. He told me it would require replacing the entire section of the dashboard, but could that really be true? I didn't think so. So, this afternoon, I removed about 6 Torx screws and a bolt to find out that ... it would require replacing the entire section of the dashboard! Nice.

However, I did find that the "shock absorber" that allows the glove box door to open slowly was disconnected. That gave me hope that this might have been the whole problem, but it wasn't. From what I could see, the door is supposed to be held shut with two latches. But on our car those latches hide inside the door like a scared tortoise no matter how many times you fiddle with the latch or lock.

This called for desperate measures. So, being the "A Team" type, I used a drill and two Torx screws¹ to fasten the top of the glove box door to the compartment itself. And it doesn't look so bad, if you ask my opinion. The only problem is that the door can't be opened without removing these screws. That leads me to believe that the only lasting solution will be replacing the whole contraption with one from a salvage car. But with 185,000 miles on the odometer, I think the chances of that happening are fairly slim.

¹ In the bottom of my tool box I found an assortment of bolts and screws left over from our days with three Classic Saab 900s. I'm telling you, it pays to save things like this. You never know when you'll need an extra Torx bolt or screw or even one of those plastic screw thingies that held most of the C900's interior together.

2009-02-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

Temp Wars

2009-02-07T09:37:00.003-05:00

Cardboard Patrol Cars?

2009-02-06T09:19:00.002-05:00

H/T Ripley's Believe it or Not

New Look

2009-02-05T19:03:00.005-05:00

In between test drives today, I've been working on some changes to my sales website. The plan is to have Wickman Studios* do a bit of a site upgrade this month. But before that takes place, I need to know what I want to be done.

What is my target audience?
What is the message of the website?
It wouldn't hurt to add a few pictures of Saabs and Volvos.
How can I get Google's attention?

I really don't know the answers to all those questions. But I have been experimenting with some new ideas. One idea was to update the page header with a nice logo. It's only temporary, but this is what I came up with using (Are you ready for this?) Microsoft Word, the Print Screen command, and Microsoft Paint.

* Dave Wickman is a web designer and fellow gearhead who attends our church.

Buy now?

2009-02-05T13:11:00.003-05:00

Click here to view the price for Ford stock.

Click here to view the price for GM stock.

Click here to view the price for Volvo stock.

Agreed.

2009-01-30T22:34:00.002-05:00

"0-100km/h isn’t anywhere near as important as 80-120km/h or 100-140km/h. I realise that it might be when it comes to newsprint, but not in the real world."

Steven Wade in More info and thoughts on the 2010 Saab 9-5

Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-30T17:49:00.003-05:00

Click the picture to read about this incredible machine.

1960-69 Chevrolet Corvair brochures

2009-01-30T09:19:00.013-05:00

Remember the online Corvair brochure I mentioned in an earlier post? That website also offers a number of other American car brochures. Of interest to me were those for the 1960-1965 model years. It's interesting to see how cars were advertised back then and how the car progressed over the years.

1960 Corvair
1961 Corvair
1962 Corvair
1963 Corvair
1964 Corvair
1965 Corvair (4 pages in a multi-car brochure)

Several other websites also offer Corvair brochures for the latter years. Hopefully, we'll find all of them available before too long.

1965 Corvair
1966 Corvair
1967 Corvair (Yenko Stinger)
1968 Corvair
1969 Corvair

2009-01-30T09:09:00.000-05:00

Jefferson brings home the trophy!

2009-01-29T20:59:00.015-05:00

Last week Jefferson Rupert completed the design of the LEIKINVOLVO.COM Racing Team Pinewood Derby race car. With dark red exterior and plenty of shiny decals, the only thing missing was the classic (and highly sought after) LEIKINVOLVO.COM license plate bracket. Thankfully, custom race car license plate designer and Volvo salesman Andy Rupert came to the rescue and installed one just before the race began.

The annual Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby race took place in the gymnasium of Hale Road Elementary School in Painesville, Ohio. After a first place victory in heat one, Jefferson drove the LEIKINVOLVO.COM entry to two consecutive second place finishes. But when it came to the trophy round for his den, Jefferson's driving expertise was evident. Eye witnesses of the final race verified that The LEIKINVOLVO.COM car crossed the finish line with no other car within ten feet!* It was a fabulous, incredible, awe-inspiring way to finish off the day!

Congratulations to Jefferson Rupert and sponsor LEIKINVOLVO.COM on a great performance in the 2008 Webeloes Pinewood Derby races!**

__________

* Only two boys from Jefferson's den showed up for the race. So, he raced alone for the final den competition as the other boy had already won a trophy for a third place in the whole pack. All-in-all, he ended up with a 2-2 race record.

** P.S. Did I mention LEIKINVOLVO.COM yet?

1962 Corvair brochure

2009-01-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

If you're just curious and don't want to invest money in a brochure for your Corvair, you might want to search the internet. I found this 1962 Corvair brochure here. Here's a clip about the Greenbrier from the brochure. Very interesting.

Fuel Injection for Corvair Engines

2009-01-27T21:27:00.006-05:00

This interest in the Greenbriar brought back memories of looking through Clark's mail order catalogue. It was wishful thinking back then (as it probably is now) but it was interesting reading. One of the things I remember was an advertisement for a Corvair fuel injection system. As I recall, there were three offerings at the time—the last being sequential. Now some twenty years ago, I'm wondering if they still offer something like that.

Googling "corvair fuel injection" brought up a $2500 conversion kit which replaces the dual carburetors with a custom made throttle body system. According to the FAQ page, the horsepower only jumps between 4 and 8 hp but the mileage increases from 16 to 22 mpg. That's not bad but is it worth $2500?

More searching led to people who have installed or are currently in the process of installing TBI or EFI systems on their Corvair engines. Some of them looked very complicated. Actually, for someone like me, I think all of them looked complicated. But when completed, pretty much all of the owners were very happy with the outcome.

I would like to say that I haven't put the fuel injection on the 110 HP engine, but I do have a 4 barrel fuel injection unit on my 140 HP engine. I would like to say WOW. The result is awesome, but that might be because of the computer I have running the engine. I have the ACCEL DFI 7.0 engine management system. But let me tell you, it is a chore to get all the setups correct. I had to machine the distributor, run all the wires, and the hours of computer tuning has to be in weeks. But the result is an engine that can snap up to 6800 RPM's in very little time and still get 30+ fuel mileage.

That sounds like a profitable modification. But who has that kind of time or money? If you ask me, it would be better to buy something that was already installed and perfected.

Would a Greenbriar work for a daily driver?

2009-01-27T20:11:00.010-05:00

This was the question that crossed my mind this summer when I saw a Corvair Greenbriar parked outside a body shop on Rt. 20. On the way to the Pine Wood Derby weigh-in, I saw the vehicle still parked outside the same shop. Could a vehicle like this work as my daily driver? Could it haul my family safely for visits to the grandparents? Quite honestly, an older vehicle would take TLC, but with all the electronics on today's vehicles, so do they. So, it might be a trade-off ... or just wishful thinking. But just to get it out in the open:

We miss the space a minivan provides.
We don't want another Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler minivan.
I want something different but affordable.
The owner has done nothing that I can see with the Greenbriar since acquiring it.
Parts are still available through Clark's Corvair Parts.

I really don't know if the owner will sell it. The last time we talked, he was thinking of making it into a tailgate wagon for Browns' games. But it's not been painted orange or brown, so maybe there's still a chance he'll sell it come March. Until then, enjoy the following commercial.

Mystery Car #57 — Revealed

2009-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

As I write this, I imagine that many people have guessed Dodge Omni or Plymouth Horizon. However, those guesses are only half way correct. Unless you know the history of the Omni/Horizon, you won't know that this black car is Caroll Shelby's very own 1986 Dodge Omni GLHS #001.

As it turns out, Shelby purchased some 1500 Dodge Omnis to turn into super machines. Instead of the measly 95 hp I-4 engine the GLH and GLHS models were bumped up to 170-175 hp by means of a turbo charger. And from what I've been reading, these little cars performed quite well.

Shelby claimed that the 1986 Omni GLH-S could do 0-60 in a stunning 6.70 seconds, with a 14.7 quarter-mile (at 94 mph). Cornering was quite good, with a skid-pad measurement of .88g. Shelby Automobiles was able to advertise that “names like Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, and BMW all finish behind Carrol Shelby’s new Limited Edition GLH-S.

The Dodge Omni GLH, Dodge Omni GLHS, and Dodge Charger GLH-S

As you can imagine, Caroll Shelby's own personal car would have something special about it to differentiate it from the other cars. You are absolutely right. Shelby created his own personal monster by completely redesigning the car into a 300+ hp sleeper! To find out how he did it, read the first of the following reference articles.

Stealth Omni by Don Keefe
Wikipedia's Dodge Omni
The Dodge Omni GLH, Dodge Omni GLHS, and Dodge Charger GLH-S

If it sounds too good to be true ...

2009-01-24T17:24:00.002-05:00

A search for an inexpensive car on Craigslist.com (Columbus,Ohio) revealed an unbelievable deal — a 2001 Lexus IS300 for less than $2500. Check out the pricing on KBB.com and you'll find that the car is worth quite a bit more than that. So, what's the deal? Thinking it was too good to be true, I emailed the author of the advertisement and got this reply.

Hello,

If you are interested in my 2001 Lexus IS 300 Automatic, it is in perfect condition, no scratches, dings, special marks whatsoever. It has 36,212 miles and the VIN # is :JTHBD182110017964. It has a clear title ready to be signed and notarized on your name.

I have the pictures hosted on the net and you can see them at : http://s436.photobucket.com/albums/qq83/lleexxuusss/?start=all

The car is located Oxnard, CA and the shipping is my responsibility.

The price is $2,488 and there are no other costs regarding this transaction. I am selling the car because I am in the army and my unit will be deployed to Afghanistan next month. I will buy a new one when I'll be back home so this car needs to go.

The transaction will be closed only through a 3rd party because this way we will both be protected. My time is limited due to my job in the army so I decided to use a service from AlertPay which will serve as our 3rd escrow party in this transaction. To begin the transaction I'll need your full name and shipping address, I will forward the details of our transaction to AlertPay and then you will receive an invoice from them.

The car will be shipped insured to your location with DAS and you will have 5 days for inspection, I will pay for shipping.

Thank you,

David Higgins

If a red flag didn't go up in your mind after reading that, you'd better let someone else carry your wallet. First of all, the KBB.com price for a car in Oxnard, CA is close to $10,000. Secondly, the cost of transporting a car from California to Ohio would eat up most of the asking price. Thirdly, a quick Google of "craiglist alertpay" led me to scam.com. Check out their article about another Alertpay scam at http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=17904. So, I'm thinking there's a good chance this one's not a good idea.

Porsche 924: sputters but won't start

2009-01-22T18:45:00.018-05:00

This seems to be a common problem with the early 924's. You turn the key, the engine turns over, but all you get is a sputter but the engine won't run. Thankfully, there is a common answer to this problem. But before looking at the answers, you have to understand the way the 2.0 liter engine is designed to work.

During all start conditions, cold or hot, the thermo-time switch provides ground to the cold start valve, and the ignition switch provides battery voltage to the other side of the cold start valve for as long as the ignition switch is held in the start position. As long as both the ground and the battery voltage are applied to the valve it will remain open, and spray extra fuel into the intake manifold. This extra fuel is necessary to aid in starting the engine.

During a cold start, the time the ground is supplied by the thermo-time switch can be as much as ten seconds. After that the thermo-time switch "times-out," and the ground is removed. Even if you continue cranking the engine after the ten-second time-out period, only battery voltage is supplied to the valve, the ground is removed. Without the ground, the valve will close, and the extra fuel flow is cut off. This is to prevent flooding of the engine. After the thermo-time switch has cooled down, the ground is once again applied to the valve during cranking, and the normal start cycle is in place.

Hot Start Problem Fix by David Russell

With that in mind, it would make sense that one of three components would be the culprit: the thermo-time switch, cold start valve, or any of the wires/connectors. Checking the wires and connections would be the easiest fix. But if the switch or valve needs replacing, you'd better have a few dollars ready. The following table shares the cheapest prices I could find as of 1/23/09.

PART
BRAND
SUPPLIER
PRICE
Thermo-Time Switch
Bosch
Auto Barn
$42.37
Cold Start Valve
Bosch
Auto Parts Way
$182.50

But who am I? I'm no technical genius of a mechanic. But there are plenty of mechanics who have willingly offered helpful tips about this problem. And hopefully, their advice will help you solve the problem.

Hot Start Problem Fix by David Russell
Porsche 924 poor idle from cold by Dave Ward
My car won’t start/won’t run when it’s cold!

And if you don't have the manual, check out the picture and diagram available here on page 4.

2009-01-22T12:54:00.001-05:00

Mystery Car #57

2009-01-20T11:35:00.001-05:00

Pine Wood Derby

2009-01-20T10:37:00.007-05:00

Every year it comes down to the last minute. What shape, color, style, and decorations will make up Jefferson's pinewood derby racer for Cub Scouts? Tonight is the weigh-in, so today is the time to finish things up. While the kids are in school, I've been looking online for ideas and found that our local Hobbytown (Mentor) offers a variety of decals for this very thing. But why pay $5.99 + tax for stickers when you can make your own, right? Following my father's design cues from last year, Jefferson will be sporting his own license plate. How cool is that?

Why electric cars haven't caught on

2009-01-20T08:56:00.001-05:00

US car powered by ... Porsche?

2009-01-19T18:34:00.003-05:00

If you can't tell, I've been reading up on the Porsche 924. It's an interesting car and one that you don't see every day. During my reading I came across a fact that you might not know about the car. The original 2.0 liter four cylinder engine was designed by Volkswagen, built by Audi, and also used in an American car! Can you guess what American car utilized the engine?

I want more power!

2009-01-19T14:23:00.007-05:00

If you have owned an underpowered car of any make, you have probably said those words to yourself. "I want more power!" But when you begin to think about more power, you also realize that something would have to change. For instance, buying a faster car might have been financially impossible but modifying the current engine might just do the job. But as some have found out (the hard way) making your car faster may prove to be an expensive project by the time it's done. Consider what the folks at 924.org say about beefing up a stock Porsche 924.

The topic of engine swaps seems to come up here ALL the time. It seems that most people want to do the swap because they feel that the 924 engine isn't powerful enough and doesn't have much potential per dollar spent as far as modifications. This is certainly true. A set of high compression pistons, a camshaft, head porting, and a header will probably cost upwards of $1200 if you do the work yourself. And on top of that you'll be lucky to get 160hp out of it. While 160hp in a 924 is reasonably quick, most people don't want to spend the value of their car in modifications and still get kicked around by Acura Integras. And sure, you can throw out of back seats and all the carpet and insulation and interior trim, but if it's not a racecar, you're really compromising the utility of the car. And maybe being a little ricey in the process.

The Chevy 350 swap is a popular topic of discussion. Hey, who doesn't want a really fast 924? But the cost of the kit, without engine or cooling system upgrades or brake upgrades (unless you already did a 944 swap or have the front/rear discs as an option), is around $2000. Figure around $500 for a complete (all accessories, etc) Chevy V8, $200 or more in custom exhaust work, all the necessary cooling accessories, etc., and you're talking about almost $3000. And that is for a carbureted Chevy V8. Sure, it'll make tons of power, but the swap will cost you around twice the value of the car! Sure, the parts are cheaper to replace when they break, but considering the initial investment, it hardly seems worth it. And on top of that it will destroy the balance of the car and throw off all the handling characteristics. And the added weight over the front wheels will make the car VERY difficult to steer at low speeds.

Of course, you could do a different swap, like a 944 engine, a 928 V8, or an Audi turbo engine. But unless you do your own metal fabrication, it's still likely to be a very expensive swap. Add to that the difficulty of wiring up a different fuel injection system, running fuel lines, and working out all the quirks of the swap, and you're still out a lot of money and time. And in this case parts will be more expensive than stock 924 parts.

As I see it, the only reasonable thing to do, if you're unhappy with the amount of power the 924 has, is to sell it, and buy something faster.
http://www.924.org/techsection/GarageFAQ.htm

For most people, that's pretty good advice.

New SAAB Logo

2009-01-19T13:03:00.008-05:00

According to a trustworthy source, SAAB will be losing it's rights to the Griffin logo in the near future. So, SAAB fanatics are currently arguing about what should be done. Should the Griffin logo be "rented" again for continuity's sake? Should the capitalized "SAAB" be the new logo by itself? Or should the company revert to an updated version of the propeller plane motif? These are deep and important questions, friends. No doubt, the world is hanging by a thread while we attempt to figure things out.

Most Saabisti believe that the "Born from Jets" advertisement has done little to bring in new customers in the US of A. While the company was originally an airplane company, how does that help now? Do the engineers actively attempt to make the new cars with jets in mind? I don't think so. The truth is that most of the world is more comfortable with the "Move Your Mind" theme. Saab owners are often well educated, deep thinking, philosophical, kind-hearted lunatics. The theme worked in Europe. Why not use the "mind" to make things happen here in the States as well?

With that in mind, I have come up with an excellent logo to attract professors and philosophers from both sides of the tracks. By placing my logo at strategic locations on each vehicle, I guarantee that people will sart buying SAABs in large quantities. Click here to view my proposed logo. I'm telling you, this logo will work!

Preferential Treatment

2009-01-19T11:45:00.005-05:00

Each morning, the salesmen at Leikin Motor Company grab foam snow brushes and clean the snow off the inventory. Volvo salesmen take care of the Volvos while Buick salesmen clean off the rest of the pre-owned inventory. But being the person I am, another brand is known to get preferential treatment.

Can you think of any other obvious ones?

2009-01-17T17:18:00.005-05:00

somewhat familiar AUTOMOBILE BRANDS
Abarth	Hillman	Overland
AC	Holden	Packard
Acura	Honda	Panoz
Alfa Romeo	Hudson	Peugeot
AMC	Hummer	Pierce Arrow
Amphicar	Hyundai	Plymouth
Auburn	Infiniti	Pontiac
Aston Martin	International	Porsche
Avanti	Isuzu	Rambler
Audi	Jaguar	Renault
Bentley	Jeep	Rolls Royce
BMW	Kaiser	Rover
Bristol	Kia	Saab
Bugatti	Koenigsegg	Saturn
Buick	Lamborghini	Scion
Cadillac	Lancia	Seat
Checker	Land Rover	Shelby
Chery	Lexus	Škoda
Chevrolet	Lincoln	Smart
Chrysler	Lotus	Spyker
Citroën	Maserati	Studebaker
Cord	Maybach	Subaru
Crosley	Mazda	Sunbeam
Daewoo	McLaren	Suzuki
Daihatsu	Mercedes Benz	Talbot
Daimler	Mercer	Tata
Datsun	Mercury	Tatra
Delorean	Merkur	Toyota
Desoto	MG	Triumph
DeTomaso	Mini	Tucker
Dodge	Mitsuoka	TVR
Eagle	Morgan	Vauxhall
Edsel	Morris Minor	VEB Sachsenring
Ferrari	Nash	Volkswagen
Fiat	Nissan	Volvo
Ford	Noble	Yugo
Frazer	Oldsmobile	Wolseley
Geo	Opel	Willys

Climate Package

2009-01-17T09:39:00.004-05:00

I took these pictures Friday morning just before leaving for work. It was colder than it's been for a long time in NE Ohio. It reminded me of the winter of 1994 or 95 at Northland Baptist Bible College (1½ hours north of Green Bay, Wisconsin). It got so cold that the wind chill was -80° F. The water tower pipe froze and we weren't able to take showers for a couple days. (With our shower in the basement, I wouldn't mind waiting a couple days now!)

Auction Results

2009-01-15T22:15:00.006-05:00

It's amazing what people are willing to pay for exotic items. Tonight one of my co-workers found what was supposed to be Obama's 2005 Chrysler 300 C selling for 99 millon dollars on ebay. Yeah right! But lookie here. Look what just sold for $225,000! It's a 1976-77 Jaguar XJ-S Trans Am race car. I betcha that would be a fun one to drive!

How well do you know your cars?

2009-01-15T19:14:00.005-05:00

Think you know cars pretty well? Try this quiz put out by Cramer Sweeney. It's not extremely difficult, but you might be surprised at some of the answers. I got 17 of 20. See what you can do.

Click here to take the Brand Prix quiz.

And if you think that one was too easy, try this one about classic cars. With a small picture of a tail light or grille, you're expected to guess the make and model of the classic car. I haven't finished it yet, but my current score is 8/100. Yikes!

Click here to take the Classic Car quiz.

How big is an XJ-S?

2009-01-15T14:34:00.006-05:00

I recently came across this picture of a 1989 Jaguar XJ-S on eBay. It wasn't the color or options of the car that caught my attention but the size of it next to this Corvette. I knew the car was shorter than most, but this picture really puts things into perspective. How small was it? According to one source, the car was approximately 190" long, 70" wide (with mirrors), and 50" tall. That's 4' 2" tall! How did I ever fit into it?

__________

A brief overview of the Jaguar XJ-S by Geoffrey Green

XJS Dimensions by Sheepy

More Snow

2009-01-12T11:19:00.002-05:00

My latest advertisement

2009-01-10T15:07:00.007-05:00

Remember that winter song about a sleigh ride? With all the snow falling in northeastern Ohio, I've been whistling it all day long!

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling, Yoo hoo!

It's the perfect time to shout a "Yoo hoo!" to you about the falling prices at Leikin Volvo. Whether it's a new or pre-owned car, it's a great time to buy or lease! So, give me a call and I'll tell you all about our recently lowered prices.

I'm feeling a bit Saaby today ...

2009-01-10T13:28:00.004-05:00

In the last week, we have taken in three SAABs (a 2005 9-3, a 2003 9-5, and a 1999 9-3 SE). The 1999 SAAB 9-3 SE caught my interest as it looks almost identicle to my wife's NG900. Although it has almost 170,000 miles, the fact that it is a turbo got me thinking. You know how it goes. Even though I get to drive a newer Volvo every day, it's hard not having my own car to tinker with.

It's not the right time to buy, but being the curious person that I am, I was wondering how to tell if it had the 185 hp or 200 hp engine. A simple Google search led me to an excellent saabcentral article with links to the most frequently asked questions about the 9-3. According to a forum answer, the 8th digit of the VIN# answers my question. Check it out.

In this picture there are two vehicles of interest to SAAB lovers. The first is a Subaru that was almost a Saab and the other is hidden somewhere in the used car lineup. Can you find it?

2009-01-09T09:17:00.001-05:00

New Wheels

2009-01-07T16:57:00.008-05:00

Speaking of new wheels, a customer just purchased our last 2008 Volvo C30 v 2.0. With a 227 hp T5 and a 6 speed transmission, this is one fun car to drive. But let's get back to the wheels now. The customer decided to buy some wheels/snow tires from tirerack.com and we agreed to install them for him. What do you think of the new look?

BEFORE

AFTER

Mystery Car #56

2009-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

What would an Aero convertible cost?

2009-01-03T16:40:00.006-05:00

From what I can tell, the 2006 Aero convertibles sold for more than $40,000 new. A Car & Driver write-up listed their test car at $44,040 with a base price of $42,845. Check out KBB.com and then click here to find out what you could actually buy one for in Ohio. Amazing!

An article I never fin...

2008-12-29T20:34:00.006-05:00

P.S. I started this article several weeks before Christmas and just put the finishing touches on it tonight.

Since moving from Wisconsin to the Cleveland area, I have become a European car affeccianado. It started with the purchase of our first SAAB 900 when Katie was born. That first buy was the first of five Swedish cars and then two Jaguars. Coming from someone who thought owning a Chevy Corvair would be the epitome of fine driving, I’ve come a long way. But now I have crossed another threshold. In the last week, I have had the privilege of driving my first Mercedes and my first Audi. I will reserve my thoughts about the Mercedes for another time as I only drove the car around the dealership. These paragraphs will instead be focused on the Audi, a vehicle which I had never really understood.

This morning I received my first Internet lead on an Audi. Leikin Motor Company currently has two Audis in stock. And to be honest, I have focused my attention on the Volvo, SAAB, and Jaguar inventory as I have had more experience with them. This time, however, I was forced to take a moment to examine a car that really had done nothing to grab my interest.

The car I studied today was a 2006 Audi A6 3.2 Quattro. As you would imagine, the A6 is the mid size vehicle in Audi’s fleet. It comes with a 255 hp 3.2 liter V6 with plenty of get-up-and-go. Quattro refers to the AWD system which in this car was coupled to a nice automatic transmission. It was a pleasure to accelerate into corners as I quickly found out that the car could handle them with no problems.

But not knowing what packages were offered, I searched and found the following description. Apparently, the car we have on our lot has just about everything. Click here to read the entire article.

The A6 3.2 comes loaded with standard features. Among them: leather upholstery; wood trim; dual-zone automatic air conditioning with pollen filters; AM/FM/6CD with 10 speakers; 12-way power driver's seat with four-way adjustable power lumbar support; split-folding rear seats; tilt/telescoping steering column; leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel; leather-wrapped shift knob; theft deterrent system. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Options for the 3.2 include premium leather upholstery ($1,000); power opening and closing rear tailgate ($450); manual rear and side window sunshades ($250); 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires ($900); rear side airbags ($350); a DVD-based navigation system ($1,800); Sirius or XM satellite radio ($550); a leather-segmented steering wheel with shift paddles ($690). Also available by ordering: a heated steering wheel ($200), adaptive air suspension ($2,300), and adaptive cruise control ($2,100).

The S-Line Package ($2,950) includes a sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, gray birch wood trim, S-Line badges, S-Line front and rear bumpers, and headlight washers. Solar sunroof panels are available for 4.2 models ($600). A Premium Package ($2,500) for 3.2 models includes bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive headlamps, a Bose premium sound system, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, auto-dimming and electrically folding exterior mirrors, memory for the driver's seat and mirror adjustments, Homelink, and a storage package. The Technology Package ($3,800) includes voice recognition, Advanced Key, rear Parktronic, DVD navigation, and satellite radio. A Cold Weather Package ($400) offers heated rear seats and a ski sack. The 3.2 sedan also offers front sport seats ($500).

The description and drive didn't win me over completely, but it did remind me that ignorance isn't always bliss. Some times it's just ignorance. Not knowing what a car is like limits the usefulness of one's comments about one's favorite car. For instance, if I think Swedish cars are better than German, there had better be some evidence to back up my claims. Are they really better? Or am I just a big mouth spouting narrow minded opinions? Driving the Audi showed me that there are other auto companies that make nice cars. Audi makes a nice car. (I'll give 'em at least that much.)

Dad, you gotta take a picture!

2008-12-29T20:14:00.002-05:00

Brain Probe

2008-12-27T19:18:00.002-05:00

2008-12-26T11:29:00.001-05:00

Mystery Car #55

2008-12-24T11:34:00.002-05:00

Mystery Car #54 — Revealed

2008-12-24T10:54:00.008-05:00

A while back, Swade from trollhattansaab.net sent me the above picture, a car I had never seen before. I searched all over the internet for a similar car but couldn't find it. At first I thought is was a Nissan Pulsar, Dodge Colt, Renault, or a Citroen. The original picture had left hand drive, flip up headlights, and boxy 80's styling. But I couldn't figure it out. What could it be? I sent the picture to Mervyn B., a college chum from Trinidad. He had this to say.

"As it looks there I believe it is an Alpine or a Romeo made by a Mitsubishi subsidiary company. I may be wrong but it resembles a car that was brought from Australia to Trinidad and sold by the Mitsubishi company but did not take the market."

That led me to search under those brand names, but still nothing matched. What was this stinkin' car!? Finally, Swade came to my rescue with the answer in his interview with Taras Czornyj. Mystery Car #54 is a Volvo 480. Congrats to wilfried for correctly guessing it!

However, knowing that a majority of my readers come from TS already, I decided to use a different picture—one that wouldn't give it away so easily. This is where Google finally helped me. I found a website for a Volvo 480 club in Europe. They provided a nice history of the 480 including a photograph of this Volvo 480 Phase II concept which served its purpose quite well.

How reliable is your car?

2008-12-18T09:28:00.003-05:00

It's a foregone conclusion that Jaguars leak oil and have electrical problems, but what about the Swedes? Are SAAB and Volvo worthy of respect when it comes to reliability? A simple google search led me to this article at What Car?, purported to be Britain's biggest and best car buyer's guide. It is a few year old, but it certainly brings up some things to consider.

According to the review, published in October of 2005, SAAB didn't do very well. "Saab is second from last this year with more than 42 claims for every 100 cars. The cars’ electrics are most likely to force a trip to the garage, while the main culprit is the 9000 CS (manufactured between 1991 and 1997)." Surprisingly, the NG900 did pretty well. Click here for the report.

Volvo did fairly well thanks to it's entry level models. "With two models in the top five and 13th position overall, Volvo can hold its head high. The V40 and S40, both built between 1996 and 2004, have proved to be particularly reliable models and sit in fourth and fifth place respectively in the individual model league table." Surprisingly the V70 and S80 models were not as reliable.

Althought these figures are dated, I find it interesting to see what was said about older SAAB and Volvos. It's nice to know that my NG900 should be a reliable car. But I am surprised that the SAAB 9000 was not. Thankfully, new models and re-designs have come out for both brands. But are they any better today?

Soon to be extinct?

2008-12-17T17:37:00.000-05:00

The Chase!

2008-12-17T16:59:00.006-05:00

Tuesday afternoon, I had the privilege of picking up our kids from their school, Mentor Christian School. For a change of pace, I drove my wife's 1995 SAAB 900 S. At first I wasn't sure about this car. During my recent visit with Eggs, I wondered aloud why people like the NG900s. It's just not the same as the C900s we've owned in the past. But the more I drive the car, the more I like it. And being that it's a 5 speed manual, that makes the drive a little more enjoyable.

But back to my story. I was driving west on Jackson Street in Painesville and spied another NG900 ahead of me. It was black with three silver hubcaps. And despite the missing hardware, it was a very nice looking car. Unfortunately, driving the speed limit and getting a closer look weren't compatible. So, I took the shortcut toward Newell Road and began thinking about other things. But when I got to Newell, the little black SAAB was just passing in front of me. The chase was on!

I ended up following the car across the Newell Street railroad tracks, down Blackbrook Road, up Route 44 North, and all the way down Lakeshore Blvd. until he turned off at Corduroy Road. It was a fun addition to my day. So, to whomever the driver of that black 900 S was, thanks for the chase. You probably didn't even know it was happening, but it made my day.

Mystery Car #54

2008-12-15T07:00:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder what this economy is like for a car salesman?

2008-12-14T21:23:00.003-05:00

Then read this article from the Boston Globe.

H/T Swade

Ohio jobs

2008-12-12T17:29:00.001-05:00

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler employ more than 30,000 people in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Development, last year Ohio exported more cars and trucks abroad than any other state except Michigan.

Jack Torry in Ohio's senators praise Bush for move to aid automakers

I coulda had a V8!

2008-12-12T09:22:00.014-05:00

My assignment yesterday was to work the Volvo display at the Beechwood Place Mall. The mall is about 25 minutes away from the dealership, so I chose a car from our pre-owned inventory that would make the trip enjoyable. Our used car manager has instructed us to take the cars out periodically to keep the brake rotors clean. So, I dutifully obeyed and took out the 2007 Volvo S80 V8 AWD.

If you're still complaining about the boring exterior of Volvo cars, you need to take another look. The new S80 design (MY2007– ) is very classy. Take a look at the hoodline. The convex shape hints at the added power under the hood. And speaking of power, the 311 hp 4.4 liter engine is very responsive. You can go 0-60 mph in just 6 seconds! Honestly, I had it going 80 mph before I could brake it—this from a guy who drives the speed limit! But despite the high torque (325 lb. ft.), the Dynamic Stability & Traction Control (DSTC) and AWD systems keep the wheels glued to the ground in all types of weather. Nice. Very nice.

And to make matters even better, our dealership is offering three V8s at incredible prices. The 2008 model in our showroom is Ember Black metallic with heated, ventilated, graphite leather seats, 18" Zubra wheels, Speed-sensitive steering, the 4C Chassis with three settings (think S60 R), Active Bi-Xenon headlights, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Personal Car Communicator (PCC) and the Climate package for much less than the MSRP of $54,590. With the current incentives, certain people are elligible to get more than $9000 off the price of the car!

We also have two other V8s available. The pearlescent white 2007 S80 V8 I drove to the mall is being offered for $36,990 and only has 11,145 miles on it. The other is a silver 2007 XC90 V8 with 5,368 miles for only $35,990. As you can tell, this is a great time to buy a Volvo V8!

1970 Rover 3500 S — more pictures

2008-12-11T08:57:00.014-05:00

Exterior

Interior

Underside

Engine

Doors

Mystery Car #53 — Revealed

2008-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

This one caught my eye when it was being sold on eBay the beginning of November 2008. There was something about the fender vents and tilted front grille that reminded me of some of the older BMWs. But something didn't seem right. Instead this car was built by the Italian refigerator company and was powered by a 327 Chevrolet Corvette engine. As you probably know by now, Mystery Car #53 is a 1965 Iso Rivolta.

Together with the engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, the designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and the body-experts of Bertone, Renzo Rivolta began developing the Iso Rivolta IR 300 (presented on the Torino Show of 1962), an elegant 2 + 2 Coupé with well-balanced technical components and outstanding driving performance: the 5.4 L V8 Chevrolet Small-Block engine came from General Motors in Detroit, the transmission, too, axles (de Dion) and braking system (4 disc brakes!) came from the large Jaguars of the time.¹

References:

¹Iso Rivolta by Wikipedia

²Iso Rivolta IR300 GT by Ultimate Car Page

2008-12-06T09:33:00.001-05:00

Who's the bigger hypocrite?

2008-12-03T09:03:00.002-05:00

With all the reporting about GM's need to cut back before asking for financial help, it seemed appropriate to see this editorial cartoon this morning.

Mystery Car #53

2008-12-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

November Car Sightings

2008-11-29T11:48:00.009-05:00

Last night after work, I stopped by Mentor's Wal Mart to purchase a light bulb. The compact fluorescent bulb in our kitchen fan finally burned out. To be honest, I'm not sure if it really lasted any longer than an incandescent would have but they are supposed to save you money over the long haul (see the NY Times article). So, this time I purchased a four pack of incandescent bulbs for $1.88 +tax. It's hard to go wrong with $1.88 even if they need to be changed more often.

Despite the fact that you may be able to convince me to go back to long lasting light bulbs, this is a car blog not consumer report. So, let's get back to business. Just before I walked into Wal Mart, I walked past a car that got a lot of attention when I was a kid. In fact, this car in hatch back form was one of my favorites (for some odd reason). There was something about the bubble shape that made it unique. Know what it is? If not, ask Daniel Strohl at Hemmings Auto blog.

Today a customer drove into the dealership with one of my all time favorite cars, a dark green 1993 SAAB 900 S 5 speed. This was a beautiful car with just over 100,000 miles on it. After offering to give her a free car wash and taking this picture, she asked, "Are you interested in my car?" Before I could think of what to say, another salesman saved me with, "You have to understand that that's Andy's favorite car." She said that if she were to sell the car it would have to go to the right person. Who knows? Maybe it will work out some day. In any event, it was a nice car and I thoroughly enjoyed driving it back to get washed.

What would you pay for a SAAB convertible?

2008-11-27T22:02:00.005-05:00

The used car manager at Leikin Motor Company announced during last Saturday's staff meeting that we would be getting in a 2006 SAAB convertible with 23,985 miles on it. Since the car had not arrived, I asked him about the specifications. Knowledge is power, you know. He told me that it was a black 9-3 Aero convertible and is being offered for an incredible ~~$18,990~~ $17,990!

Wednesday morning I got to look the car over. It had come in Tuesday while I was off. Let me just say that this is one sweet looking vehicle. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery power just as I went out to take some pics. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow if I'm able to get my camera phone to talk to my work computer.

Update: Here are the pictures I took this morning.

Another Acronym

2008-11-24T17:24:00.004-05:00

M ove
O ver
P eople
A re
R acing

I feel so bad for you

2008-11-24T07:56:00.001-05:00

Mystery Car #52: Revealed

2008-11-24T07:00:00.008-05:00

Before posting the original picture, I asked my co-workers at Leikin Motor Company what they thought the car was. Some said Porsche; others Ferrari. But as you will soon find out, both were wrong. Mystery Car #52 is a 1965 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato.

The what!?

To understand this car, you first have to understand the birth of the Lamborghini. Here's what happened. Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder, was not originally a car manufacturer. He made his millions by converting left over WWII army equipment into farm tractors. After the initial success, he purchased a Ferrari for his own personal use. However, he became angry when Enzo Ferrari wouldn't listen to his complaints when he experienced clutch problems. In a fit of rage, he fixed his Ferrari with a clutch from one of his tractors and decided to design and build his own car company.

His first super car, the 350 GTV, debuted at the Turin Show in November of 1963. After a few design changes, the car was produced in larger numbers as the 350 GT. These first cars were instantaneously successful and became an immediate threat to Ferrari's status as the premier Italian supercar.

Road & Track's Henry Manney aptly titled his March '65 review, "This one will give Ferrari a migraine," concluding that the 350 GT "is the most desirable sports/GT I have driven."¹

So what does all that have to do with Mystery Car #52? In all honesty, Mystery Car #52 looks nothing like the 350 GTV or 350 GT.³ There are definite differences in the exterior styling. Notice the single headlights and Ferrari like grille. It's no wonder people were guessing Porsche and Ferrari. The reason this one looks so much different is that it is one of only two such cars built by Zagato on the 350 chassis.

This white 3500GTZ by Zagato was built on a mounted 10 cm shortened 350 GT chassis. The design was executed by Ercole Spada and showed some similarity to the earlier Ferrari 25O GTOs. This car was originally a white LHD car when it appeared at the London Motor Show in 1965. The car was originally sold to ex-racing driver Marchese Gerino Gerini, Lamborghini's agent in Milan. The car was repainted in an Italian red, then later a Jaguar Red when it was first restored and converted to RHD in Australia where it has been for many, many years. The car was purchased [in] 1999 and shipped to the Netherlands where it is undergoing restoration and conversion back to LHD.⁴

According to supercars.net⁵, the restoration has finally been completed. Sadly, the gorgeous red paint has been replaced with the original white color. However you may feel about that, the car looks to be in perfect condition as evidenced by this picture at Pebble Beach. Very nice.

Information:

Lamborghini 350 & 400 GT: the beginning of a legendary marque by Genevieve Obert

Lamborghini Sports Cars by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The Early Lamborghini's

Lamborghini 3500 GTZ by Lamborghini Registry

1965 Lamborghini 3500 GTZ Zagato by supercars.net

Weighing in on the subject

2008-11-21T12:40:00.000-05:00

Your thoughts?

2008-11-20T10:30:00.003-05:00

What you think may not make a huge difference in what happens (unless you call multiple times to your representatives and senators). But it is interesting to read what law makers think of the bailout for the Big Three?

"My fear is that you're going to take this money and continue the same stupid decisions you've made for 25 years."

—Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass (AP)

"If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed. Without that bailout, Detroit will need to drastically restructure itself. With it, the automakers will stay the course — the suicidal course of declining market shares, insurmountable labor and retiree burdens, technology atrophy, product inferiority and never-ending job losses. Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check."

—Mitt Romney (New York Times)

"Before the Depression, [the government] generally allowed these kinds of problems to unwind. They were very severe. They would last six months or a year—a lot of liquidation of debt would be wiped off the books. And then it would go back to work again. What we've been doing now—especially since 1971—is preventing the real liquidation of the malinvestment and the excess of debt... If this process continues, we're going to own General Motors and Ford, then we will have to own the airlines. We are socializing our country without even a vote by the Congress. It's a horrible situation."

—Rep. Ron Paul R-Texas (US News)

Editorial Cartoon 11/19/08

2008-11-20T09:19:00.002-05:00

Rover Parts

2008-11-17T20:06:00.006-05:00

During my spare time I have been searching for a company that sells parts for the 1970 Rover 3500 S I have listed for a customer. No matter how good or bad the car runs, it won't matter unless you can still buy brake pads, discs, and various other parts. The owner said that he purchased parts from a place in Oklahoma years ago. But to this point my searching has yet to be rewarded.

However, an eBay motors advertisement recommended the Britain's Rimmer Brothers who still carry a few parts for the older and a good number of parts for the later edition of the 3500. For instance, if you were wanting to replace body panels for a 1980 Rover 3500, you can still get the entire body for £1489.36 which is currently $2,227.96 US. That amount gets you the following items:

Production Line Body shell Ex-India. Stored 20 years, shipped back to UK in containers. Rust free in solid condition. Handling marks. Other minor damage listed below. Included 4 x doors, bonnet, tailgate, brake master (servo) & some glass worth £750 + o/s/r wing dent-will repair. Roof dented in several places. Some damage to roof gutters requiring re-shaping. Also includes petrol tank & sub frame.

As you can see, this would be a great find for someone wishing to restore that particular model. And if you think about it, it is a pretty good deal. You would be getting a brand new body for less than $2300! Wouldn't that be nice? It makes me wonder what else is hidden away in some storage container or warehouse.

__________

Right after completing the article, I came across several web sites in England which sell new & used parts for the Rover P6. I'll update the list as I discover more. And if you know of any in the US, please let me know.

Rover Classics (South Yorkshire, England) offers many parts for the Rover P6.
P6 Spares (Berkshire, England) seems to specialize in salvage parts, service, and sales.

Volvo Advertisements

2008-11-17T15:37:00.005-05:00

Mystery Car #52

2008-11-17T07:00:00.001-05:00

Chrysler Calls...

2008-11-14T21:28:00.014-05:00

Click here to hear the audio version.

Chrysler calls...
Cerberus is wooing GM just because
Kinda fells like they’re clinging to a cloud
No bailout allowed
It sounds risky
The government fears

Walk away...
Do you really think a merger is okay?
Could it be the sound of Viper Vette
Or Mopar-rolet
It sounds risky
The moment you’re near

You could say that they’d have more market share
But that’s just what they want you to think
Can’t you see how low stock would sink
No investors would be following you

On your own...
You might make it through this troubled time alone
Please keep your mind on selling Hummer
Keeping SAAB’s not a bummer
It’s still risky
But you’d still be here

It’s still risky
But you’d still be here

lyrics 2008 by Andy Rupert

Yucky Cars

2008-11-13T17:00:00.011-05:00

Some cars are just destined not to make it. They are ... well ... yucky. Now think of the cars that are available today and make a list of the top ten cars that people don't want to buy. Got it? Okay, now compare your list to Automotive.com's top ten Autos that Consumers Avoid.

Surprised?

Can you sell this for me? Part 2

2008-11-13T12:00:00.008-05:00

Tuesday was my day off which allowed me to take a trip up to Geneva, Ohio to see the 1970 Rover 3500 S. So, accompanied by Dan K., a vintage car and motorcycle nut from our church, I drove our SAAB 900 to the location where we were to meet the owner. As Dan was a former 9000 owner, we had a good time discussing SAABs.

Shortly after arriving at the shop, we noticed a flatbed car hauler carrying a snow covered Rover away from the building. I hurried over to the driver and enquired if this was the car and where it was being taken. He smiled and patiently explained that he was moving the car to an empty parking spot.

When the car was finally unloaded, the inspection began. Unfortunately, the car was covered with snow from Monday's accumulation. The owner attempted to remove as much of the snow as possible, but alas! We had no snow brush in the SAAB. So, the pictures include a good bit of the white stuff still on the car. In any event, we were able to take about twenty pictures and to determine that the car would need a total restoration.

POSITIVES: The car is in decent shape for a 38 year old. Each of the doors opened with no problems. And the interior is in pretty good shape. The front seats were a perforated material (leather?) and had only a few minor wear tears. Both the passenger and driver side glove boxes were operational. The dashboard, gages, steering wheel, and headliner were all in good shape. And most of all, this is a unique automobile which you don't see every day.

NEGATIVES: The car is in decent shape for a 38 year old, but it does have some issues. As you would guess, there is some rust around one wheel arch (the worst spot) and on the bottoms of the doors. And the paint on the aluminum hood has peeled off in large sections. Another difficulty is that the car has been sitting outdoors without being driven or started. And being that this wasn't my car (and the fact that it didn't have a battery), we were unable to attempt starting the engine.

After searching for a long time, it was Dan who found the hood release inside the locakbel driver's side glove box. I lifted the hood to reveal a very interesting engine bay. You know what they say, British designers do things a bit differently. Inside the engine compartment, sits a 184 hp, dual carburetor, 215 cubic inch V8 engine which was originally designed by Buick. According to some, it is supposed to have a 10.4 to 1 compression ratio. But even more interesting than the engine was the placement of the brake master cylinder and power booster. You can barely see it in the picture. It actually sits in front of the passenger side wheel well! Quite odd.

Another oddity is the placement of the front springs. Conventional suspensions have vertically mounted springs, shocks, or struts. Not so with the Rover. For some odd reason, they were horizontally mounted above and behind the front wheels. From what we could tell, a torsion bar transfers movement from wheel to spring. The vehicle also has four wheel disc brakes with the rear discs mounted inboard next to the differential like the pre-1991(?) Jaguar XJS.

I think this would be a fun car to own. And if you're still wondering, read this report from 1970. If you are interested in a winter project, this could be it. Time and the elements have done some damage, but with some TLC this one could be an interesting ride. The owner has set the asking price at $2500, so make an offer.

History Repeats Itself

2008-11-13T10:24:00.003-05:00

The current economy is not benefiting the auto industry. And seeing that my job is directly connected to that industry, I know firsthand what that means. But this is not the only time this has happened. Trollhattan Saab recently posted an article that highlights a moment in GM's history when things were just as bleak. Read GM History Lesson to see what they did to make it through.

Winter Wonderjob!

2008-11-10T22:06:00.003-05:00

We had our first snowfall of the season last night and this morning. My co-workers warned me that cleaning off the cars can be quite a chore. But today it wasn't so bad. We worked together and uncovered most of the cars in a short period of time. This short clip was taken as we were finishing the job.

SALE PRICE	$15,978.31
DOC FEE	250.00
SALES TAX (7.75%)	1,257.69
TITLE FEE	35.00
DOWNPAYMENT	2,000.00
AMOUNT FINANCED	$17,521.00
MONTHS	60
INTEREST RATE	5.99%
MONTHLY PAYMENT	$300/mo